Related Events

David E. Waterstradt, an attorney with Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, is one of the first attorneys in Michigan to receive certification in elder law.

Waterstradt, who concentrates his practice in estate and trust planning, elder law and disability planning, has completed the requirements to receive the Certified Elder Law Attorney designation from the National Elder Law Foundation. Elder law is one of the fastest growing fields in the legal profession.

ACCOUNTING

BDO USA LLP announced Grand Rapids-based assurance director Patricia Duperron has been appointed to a one-year term to the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts’ state and local government expert panel.

ASSOCIATIONS

The American Society of Civil Engineers has selected Daniel G. Lewis as its 2012-13 president. Lewis is Prein & Newhof’s Kalamazoo office project manager and designer on private development and municipal utility projects, and has been active with the Southwest Michigan branch of ASCE since 2004.

AWARDS

Dennis M. Echelbarger, board member and former chair of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, is the recipient of its Distinguished Achievement Award for his expertise in litigation, business valuation, audit, accounting services and West Michigan liaison for government relations. He is founder and chairman of Echelbarger, Himebaugh, Tamm & Co. PC.

The City of Grand Rapids Planning Department and the updated master plan, Green Grand Rapids, was recognized for innovation in comprehensive planning and citizen engagement with the Daniel Burnham Award from the Michigan Association of Planning.

Experience Grand Rapids is the recipient of a Diamond Award for its e-newsletter from the Michigan Society of Association Executives. The awards program recognizes excellence and innovation.

BANKING

Bank of America announced the addition of Chad Springer, small business banker. Springer previously worked at Select Bank and has 15 years of experience working with small businesses.

Lake Michigan Credit Union, Hudsonville, announced the addition of Michael Turcott, purchasing manager. LMCU also announced it is partnering with Sallie Mae to offer a private Smart Option Student Loan program that gives degree-seeking students interest rates that are among the lowest in the nation, as well as in-school payment choices to help students graduate with less debt.

Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. has promoted Frank Stanek to the newly created position of vice president. Stanek will oversee the management of daily operations and corporate planning.

Pride Builders Group announced the addition of Gregory Zost, vice president of operations. Zost has more than 30 years of construction experience leading teams in manufacturing, health care, retail, academic and high-end residential construction.

Vos Glass Inc. has added Timothy Audretsch, estimator and project manager, to its contract glazing team. He has more than 13 years of experience with the largest contract glazing firms in Eastern Michigan.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Action Industrial Supply announced it has acquired Safety Products of Holland, enabling it to geographically expand its sales area. Safety Products will become a division of Action and will serve as its third location under Safety’s current name and address, 4780 136th Ave.

BBB Serving Western Michigan announced it has moved to 2627 East Beltline Ave. SE, Suite 320, Grand Rapids.

Fredricks Designs Inc., Grand Haven, announced the addition of designer Errol Pearsons to its product development team. Pearsons has more than 20 years of experience in industrial design working in diverse markets.

EDUCATION

Andrew Bixel has joined Grand Valley State University as assistant director for annual giving.

Calvin College announced its 2012 graduating class of computer science majors all scored above average on the ETS Computer Science Major Field Test. The national exam measures students’ knowledge in computer programming, discrete structures and systems. The students scored at the 99th percentile, placing the class in the top 1 percent nationally.

HEALTH

Metro Health Hospital is the recipient of an Excellence in Patient Care Award from the Studer Group. The hospital received the honor for its exemplary work in the Discharge Information Composite Ratings on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems patient survey in the value-based purchasing category.

HUMAN SERVICES

Gymco announced it has opened its first satellite location at 2121 Celebration Drive NE, offering about 4,200 square feet to provide classes and programming for children.

INSURANCE

Doyle & Ogden Insurance announced Bonnie K. Fierens is now a Licensed Life Insurance Counselor and will join the consulting aspect of the agency.

LEGAL

Alex Zucco has joined Kuiper Orlebeke as an associate. Zucco has experience forming various kinds of business entities and assisting existing businesses with general transactional and corporate governance issues.

Matthew D. Johnson, a partner at Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, will serve as the new chair of the Agriculture Industry Group. The firm works with family farms, agri-businesses, corporate farms, orchards, agri-chemical manufacturers, produce marketing and distribution companies, food distributors, livestock breeders and producers of alternative fuels through the Midwest.

Miller Johnson announced the addition of Connie R. Thacker, whose family law practice includes complex divorce, business valuation, custody and parenting time. She is a certified mediator of family law cases and certified in domestic violence screening.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Amanda Rogalski, named one of 2012’s 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan and a 40 Under 40 business leader by the Grand Rapids Business Journal, has joined Lansing-based public relations and strategic communications firm Truscott-Rossman as director of West Michigan business strategies.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Gov. Rick Synder announced the appointments of Mark Eastburg, of Grand Rapids, Trina Edmondson, of Wyoming, and Matthew Weaver, of Caledonia, to the Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services. Snyder also announced the appointments of Marianne Dunn, of Grand Rapids, and Joseph Sibley, of Wyoming, to the Commission for Blind Persons.

SCIENCE & RESEARCH

The National Cancer Institute has selected scientist Brian Haab, Van Andel Institute’s head of the laboratory of cancer immunodiagnostics, to lead a $2.3 million project to develop new molecular biomarkers for pancreatic cancer. Haab’s research will look for the presence of carbohydrates in the bloodstream as an indicator of pancreatic cancer.

TECHNOLOGY

NuWave Technology Partners announced it has been named to the Ingram Micro SMT 500. The inaugural list celebrates the top 500 fastest-growing Ingram Micro U.S. channel partners focused on small and midsize businesses. The list was derived from more then 20,000 U.S. solution providers and MSPs who work with Ingram Micro’s U.S. SMB Business Unit.

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